Ed Miliband (Energy & Climate Change Secretary) announced today the feed-in tariff (FITs) scheme; the programme is designed to bring significant increases in the use of renewable energy in the UK.

From April 1 householders and communities who install photovoltaic panels will be paid for the electricity they generate, even if they use it themselves.

SolarTech have today launched their “P.V. Free Energy Programme” to coincide with the confirmation of these tariffs by government. The programme is targeted at installing solar PV systems “free of charge” to Housing Associations, Schools and other public and private organisations.

SolarTech and their partners Opus Venture LLP have negotiated finance arrangements with a number of leading providers enabling the full installation costs of these systems to be financed by the income from the feed-in tariff.

This approach will enable organisations to install PV systems free of charge whilst also reducing fuel costs and reducing CO2 emissions.

Shaun Taylor, Managing Director, SolarTech stated;

SolarTech were one of the original providers of solar systems under the governments Low Carbon Buildings Programme and are uniquely positioned to deliver into the social housing sector. Through our innovative use of the feed-in tariff linked to a number of funding streams we are able to install PV systems to the Social Housing sector “free of charge”.

We believe this approach will make a significant contribution to helping lift thousands of families out of fuel poverty whilst also reducing CO2 emissions across the country.

1st February 2010